Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Indo-Pacific) discussed the forthcoming sentencing of the 45 pro-democracy activists under the National Security Law with Hong Kong’s Convenor of the Executive Council during their recent meeting.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Minister West met with Regina Ip on 31 October in an official capacity. Human rights were raised as part of the discussion.
The UK will continue to speak often and candidly with Hong Kong authorities across both areas of contention as well as areas for cooperation. Engagement with representatives of Hong Kong and China is pragmatic and necessary to support UK interests.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London continues to enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 provides the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office with certain privileges and immunities in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations for the purposes of furthering economic and trade interests. There are no current plans to replace this legislation.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what are the next steps following the recent meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Indo-Pacific) and Hong Kong’s Convenor of the Executive Council.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the meeting, Minister West visited Hong Kong for a two-day programme of engagements. Minister West met with stakeholders across the Hong Kong Government to discuss areas of co-operation and challenge on areas of contention.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was discussed during the recent meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Indo-Pacific) and Hong Kong’s Convenor of the Executive Council and whether the meeting included discussions on human rights violations in Hong Kong.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Minister West met with Regina Ip on 31 October in an official capacity. Human rights were raised as part of the discussion.
The UK will continue to speak often and candidly with Hong Kong authorities across both areas of contention as well as areas for cooperation. Engagement with representatives of Hong Kong and China is pragmatic and necessary to support UK interests.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that over 500 terrorists were captured by the Israel Defence Forces at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza; and how this is reflected in their public statements.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are aware of these reports, but have not made any specific public comment on them. The UK Government closely follows the security situation in the Middle East and maintains a regular dialogue with international counterparts.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attack on the Israel Defence Forces naval base in Eilat on 1 April; and how this is reflected in their public statements.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are aware of reports of a drone strike on 1 April, but have not made any specific public comment on these. The UK wants to see a lasting peace, and we are working with partners to de-escalate the situation in the region.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported sale of equipment imported by UNRWA to (1) Hamas, and (2) Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK takes allegations of neutrality violations extremely seriously including reports of diversion of equipment. This is something we monitor closely in our annual assessment of UNRWA. UNRWA has a number of measures in place to prevent aid diversion.
We are closely following the independent investigation into UNRWA neutrality policies and systems, led by Catherine Colonna, which will look at all aspects of UNRWA's work.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was an UNRWA teacher.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK takes allegations of neutrality violations seriously including any allegations related to Hamas' involvement in UNWRA's education provision. This is something we monitor closely in our annual assessment of UNRWA. When violations have been identified in the past, UNRWA has taken action including raising the issue with relevant parties.
We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General. Their independent investigations include assessment of the policies and systems UNRWA has in place to ensure neutrality.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. These actions gravely threaten the safety and welfare of seafarers, and the security of international trade and freedom of navigation. The UK has joined with key international allies in Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN. HMS DIAMOND has deployed to the area and has already shot down a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as part of this endeavour.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Gulf states on revitalising security and diplomatic arrangements with Israel after the Israel-Hamas War.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK is a supporter of Israel's normalisation ambitions; and of the Abraham Accords, an historic milestone that bring us closer to the goal of shared prosperity and peace throughout the region. We continue to encourage close regional cooperation, and the need to work towards ending the war between Israel and Hamas, and to secure sustainable peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians through he delivery of the Two State Solution. We are continuing intensive engagement with Gulf states, bilaterally and in November, the former Foreign Secretary met seven Arab League Foreign Ministers in Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Secretary and I hosted Foreign Ministers from the OIC in London including 5 Arab states.